Marc Marquez Signs New Honda Deal

 

Repsol Honda Team

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has signed a new two-year contract to remain with Honda.

In his debut season last year, the 21-year-old Spaniard won the title on his Repsol Honda Bike.

He currently tops the standings by 28 points, ahead of team-mate Dani Pedrosa, having won all four races from pole position this term.

"I'm glad to remain with this special group of people for another two seasons," said Marquez.

"I had always dreamt about being part of the Repsol Honda Team and, thanks to Honda, the dream came true a year-and-a-half ago.

"Everything happened very quickly last season and I would have never imagined that I could achieve what we did."

Honda executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto added: "We are very satisfied to have reached an agreement to keep Marc in the team for a further two seasons."

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Results Pole Position 2014 MotoGP Jerez Spain

 

Marc Marquez is Participating In His 100th GP

Marquez now also boasts a 59% ratio of poles in all MotoGP starts (13 in 22 attempts) after clinching the top spot in Jerez, breaking the lap record en route with a 1’38.120.

Before qualifying, Marquez and his team calculated that a three-stop run would be possible during the 15 minute session, which they felt was important as the life of the soft rear tyre was apparently optimum for only one flying lap with track temperatures so high.

Marquez stole Lorenzo’s lap record from 2008 (1’38.189) – the last season in which there were still qualifying tyres in MotoGP – and recorded the fastest ever official lap on two wheels at Jerez with a time of 1’38.120 on lap eight of eight.

“I am very happy with this pole position, as it was hard fought and I wasn't expecting it. We are suffering a little more here than at other tracks, but despite this we are still at the same level as Lorenzo and (Dani) Pedrosa,” said the young Spaniard.

On his unique pit strategy he added, “We changed it at the last minute; I asked if it would be possible to use three soft tyres, and they said that it was. It was all last minute and I am satisfied with how it worked out, but we know that Sunday is the important day. Jorge and, above all, Dani have a great pace”

His teammate Dani Pedrosa opted for the normal two stop strategy, completing two flying laps with each tyre, and clocked a time of 1’38.630 placing him on the front row in third for Sunday’s 27 lap race.

Pedrosa commented, "We took a step forward with the bike setup today and also went better with the race tyres. In the qualifying session we tried to do as well as possible, but it is always difficult to put in a really fast lap. We will try to get a good start, then have a good race.”

1. 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 292.1 1’38.120
2. 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 287.5 1’38.541 0.421 / 0.421
3. 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 292.7 1’38.630 0.510 / 0.089
4. 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 289.4 1’38.857 0.737 / 0.227
5. 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA NGM Forward Racing Forward Yamaha 284.8 1’39.007 0.887 / 0.150
6. 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 291.0 1’39.222 1.102 / 0.215
7. 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 291.1 1’39.243 1.123 / 0.021
8. 44 Pol ESPARGARO SPA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 289.2 1’39.293 1.173 / 0.050
9.  38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 290.6 1’39.390 1.270 / 0.097
10. 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA GO&FUN Honda Gresini Honda 291.8 1’39.751 1.631 / 0.361
11. 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Forward Racing Forward Yamaha 286.3 1’39.814 1.694 / 0.063
12. 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Drive M7 Aspar Honda 280.0 1’39.826 1.706 / 0.012

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Marc Marquez 2014 MotoGP Austin

 

Marquez Fitness Improving Ahead of Return To Austin

As World Champion Marc Marquez heads back to the scene of his first premier class race victory, he aims to maintain his winning form whilst his body gets back to full strength.

Having broken his right leg just a few weeks before the season start Marquez rode remarkably well to overcome Valentino Rossi in a great battle for the win in Qatar and now the young Spanish rider will be stronger for the trip to Texas.

Although the injury did not seem to impede him too much in Qatar, Marquez stated that with so many right hand turns at the Losail track, he was having to compensate for his weaker leg with his right arm, so the recent two and a half week break between races has been vital for the young Spaniard.

“Since round one I’ve been focusing on getting my leg stronger and my body fitter in preparation for the Austin race this weekend,” Marquez explained. “This track is one of my favourites, I had a good race here last year where I have good memories of taking my first win in the MotoGP class. We’ll have to wait and see the situation with the new rules for this year, but anyway we will be focused on our work.

“Thankfully the majority of hard turns are left handers at this track which is easier on my leg as I’m still not 100% fit"

His teammate Dani Pedrosa, who took third place in Qatar, will also be looking to take a step up and challenge for the win in Austin, a race in which he led the first twelve laps of last year, before being passed by Marquez who went on to win, marking the first 1-2 finish for the Repsol Honda duo in 2013.

Pedrosa added, “I've had a good training week at home and now I'm looking forward to get to Austin, to see the team and ride at a track I like. We had a good race there last year and we’ll have to see how the bike works there this year. I hope to ride well and that we are greeted by the usual good atmosphere in America at this second visit to 2014 MotoGP Austin.”

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